Connector assembly and terminal retainer

ABSTRACT

A receptacle assembly is provided with an electrically conductive terminal received within a receptacle. A longitudinal guide body is received within the receptacle in engagement with the terminal. The guide body has an aperture formed therethrough, which is sized to receive a pin through the aperture. At least one fastener extends from the guide body to provide an interference fit with a housing of the receptacle. A retainer is also provided with at least one fastener extending from a guide body to fasten the retainer to the receptacle. A charge assembly is also provided with a handle housing. A shoulder extends transversely from the guide body to engage a distal end of the receptacle and to position the guide body relative to the receptacle. A sleeve extends from the shoulder at least partially over the receptacle housing. The sleeve is formed integrally with the handle housing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/588,542filed Aug. 17, 2012, which, in turn, claims the benefit of U.S.provisional application Ser. No. 61/525,881 filed Aug. 22, 2011, thedisclosures of which are hereby incorporated in their entirety byreference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Various embodiments relate to electrical receptacle assemblies andretainers for receptacle assemblies.

BACKGROUND

One example of an electrical connector for vehicle charging is disclosedin U.S. Pat. No. 7,878,866 B1 to Kwasny et al.

SUMMARY

According to at least one embodiment, a receptacle assembly is providedwith a longitudinal housing with at least one receptacle formed thereinwith an opening at a distal end of the housing. An electricallyconductive terminal is received within the receptacle. A longitudinalguide body is received within the receptacle in engagement with theterminal. The guide body has an aperture formed therethrough, which issized to receive a pin through the aperture. At least one fastenerextends from the guide body to provide an interference fit with thehousing.

According to at least another embodiment, a retainer is provided toretain an electrically conductive terminal within a receptacle. Theretainer has a longitudinal guide body sized to be received within thereceptacle and engage the terminal to retain the terminal within thereceptacle. The guide body has an aperture formed therethrough, which issized to receive a pin through the aperture to contact the terminal. Atleast one fastener extends from the guide body to fasten the retainer tothe receptacle.

According to at least another embodiment, a receptacle assembly isprovided with a longitudinal housing with at least one receptacle formedtherein with an opening at a distal end of the housing and a grooveformed in the housing. An electrically conductive terminal is receivedwithin the receptacle. A retainer is provided to retain the terminalwithin the receptacle. The retainer has a longitudinal guide body sizedto be received within the receptacle and engage the terminal to retainthe terminal within the receptacle. The guide body has an apertureformed therethrough, which is sized to receive a pin through theaperture to contact the terminal. At least one fastener extends from theguide body to fasten the retainer to the receptacle. The guide body isreceived within the receptacle. The at least one fastener is receivedwithin the groove.

According to at least another embodiment, a charge assembly is providedwith a handle housing. A plurality of receptacle assemblies areprovided, each with a longitudinal housing with at least one receptacleformed therein with an opening at a distal end of the housing. Anelectrically conductive terminal is received within the receptacle. Alongitudinal guide body is received within the receptacle in engagementwith the terminal. The guide body has an aperture formed therethrough,which is sized to receive a pin through the aperture. A shoulder extendstransversely from the guide body to engage a distal end of thereceptacle and to position the guide body relative to the receptacle. Asleeve extends from the shoulder at least partially over the receptaclehousing. Each sleeve is formed integrally with the handle housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector assembly according to anembodiment illustrated in cooperation with a vehicle and a power supply;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector assembly of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective of a receptacle assembly of the connectorassembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial section view of a distal end of thereceptacle assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is another enlarged partial section view of the distal end of thereceptacle assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged front perspective view of a retainer of thereceptacle assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is another enlarged rear perspective view of the retainer of FIG.6;

FIG. 8 is a partial section perspective view of a receptacle assemblyaccording to another embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a retainer of the receptacle assembly ofFIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a partial section view of a receptacle assembly according toanother embodiment;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged partial section view of a distal end of areceptacle of the receptacle assembly of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of a retainer of the receptacleassembly of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a rear perspective view of the retainer of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a receptacle assembly according toanother embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a section view of the receptacle assembly of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged section view of a distal end of the receptacleassembly of FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged rear perspective view of a retainer of thereceptacle assembly of FIG. 14;

FIG. 18 is a section view of a receptacle assembly according to at leastone embodiment;

FIG. 19 is an enlarged section view of a distal end of the receptacleassembly of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a enlarged perspective view of a distal end of a retainer ofthe receptacle assembly of FIG. 18;

FIG. 21 is an enlarged partial section perspective view of the retainerof FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a receptacle assembly according toanother embodiment;

FIG. 23 is an enlarged front perspective view of a retainer of thereceptacle assembly of FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is an enlarged rear perspective view of the retainer of FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is an enlarged section view of a distal end of the receptacleassembly of FIG. 22;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a receptacle assembly according toanother embodiment;

FIG. 27 is a section view of the receptacle assembly of FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 is an enlarged section view of a retainer of the receptacleassembly of FIG. 26;

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a retainer according to an embodiment;

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a distal end of a receptacle assemblyaccording to another embodiment, illustrated with the retainer of FIG.29;

FIG. 31 is an enlarged partial section view of the distal end of thereceptacle assembly of FIG. 30;

FIG. 32 is an enlarged partial section perspective view of the distalend of the receptacle assembly of FIG. 30;

FIG. 33 is a rear perspective view of a retainer according to anembodiment;

FIG. 34 is a front perspective view of the retainer of FIG. 33;

FIG. 35 is a partial section view of a receptacle assembly according toan embodiment, illustrated with the retainer of FIG. 33;

FIG. 36 is a rear perspective view of a retainer according to anembodiment;

FIG. 37 is a front perspective view of the retainer of FIG. 36;

FIG. 38 is an enlarged partial section perspective view of a receptacleassembly according to another embodiment, illustrated with the retainerof FIG. 36;

FIG. 39 is a perspective view of a receptacle assembly according toanother embodiment;

FIG. 40 is an enlarged perspective view of a guide of the receptacleassembly of FIG. 39;

FIG. 41 is an enlarged perspective view of a retainer of the receptacleassembly of FIG. 39;

FIG. 42 is an enlarged section view of a distal end of the receptacleassembly of FIG. 39;

FIG. 43 is a section view of a receptacle assembly according to anotherembodiment;

FIG. 44 is an enlarged partial section perspective view of a proximalend of the receptacle assembly of FIG. 43; and

FIG. 45 is an enlarged partial section view of a distal end of thereceptacle assembly of FIG. 43.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosedherein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodimentsare merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in variousand alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; somefeatures may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particularcomponents. Therefore, specific structural and functional detailsdisclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as arepresentative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variouslyemploy the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 1, a connector assembly for facilitating electriccharging of a vehicle is illustrated in accordance with an embodimentand is referenced generally by numeral 120. In general, the connectorassembly 120 may be configured to accommodate a number of differentelectrical harness configurations by interchanging a couple components.

The connector assembly 120 is included in a cordset assembly 122,according to one or more embodiments. The cordset assembly 122 includesa connector for connecting to an external power supply 124 for receivingelectrical energy. The external power supply 124 represents analternating current (AC) electrical power supply, such as a standardresidential power circuit. The cord set assembly 122 includes electricvehicle supply equipment (EVSE) 126 and a charging cable 128. Thecharging cable 128 extends between the EVSE 126 and the connectorassembly 120. The EVSE 126 is configured to monitor electrical energypassing through the cable 128 during charging. The cordset assembly 122may be configured to be portable (as shown in FIG. 1) or fixed to acharging station (not shown).

The connector assembly 120 attaches to a “plug-in” vehicle 130, such asa hybrid electric vehicle, for supplying electrical energy to thevehicle 130. The vehicle 130 includes a vehicle charging receptacle 132that is connected to a battery 134 for receiving and storing electricalenergy. The vehicle charging receptacle 132 is mounted to be externallyaccessible from the vehicle 130. The vehicle receptacle 132 receives theconnector assembly 120. The battery 134 is electrically connected to thecharging receptacle 132 for storing electrical power. The vehicle 130may also include a converter (not shown) for converting AC to DCelectrical power for storage in the battery 134. The vehicle 130 may bean electric vehicle, or any suitable vehicle that receives externalelectric power.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the connector assembly 120 is illustratedexploded for revealing the various components. The connector assembly120 includes a first housing portion 136 that has an external plug 138that is sized to be received within the vehicle charging receptacle 132.The receptacle housing portion 136 includes a plurality of recessedsockets 140 that are each sized to receive an electrical connector, suchas a receptacle assembly 142. The receptacle assemblies 142 are femaleelectrical connectors that are inserted into the sockets 140 andretained into the sockets 140 by a backing plate 144 that is fastened tothe receptacle housing portion 136 by fasteners 146.

The receptacles 142 receive a plurality of pins (not shown) that arerecessed within the vehicle charging receptacle 132 as is known in theart. By inserting the plug 138 into the vehicle charging receptacle 132,the receptacle assemblies 142 are aligned with the pins and the pins arereceived within the sockets 140 and consequently the receptacleassemblies 142 making electrical connection between the cordset assembly122 and the vehicle 130. Although female receptacle assemblies 142 areillustrated and described, the invention contemplates any conductiveconnectors for the connector assembly 120. Alternatively, the sockets140 may retain male pin connectors.

The connector assembly 120 includes a second housing portion 148 and athird housing portion 150. The second housing portion 148 and the thirdhousing portion 150 are similar, yet mirror images of each other, forassembly in a clamshell configuration for retaining the cable 128 andthe first housing portion 136. Once assembled, the housing portions 136,148, 150 collectively provide a handle for manual manipulation of theconnector assembly 120. The second and third housing portions 148, 150collectively provide an exterior 176 for the connector assembly 120, andeach include a cavity 178, 180. Wires 182 extend from the cable 128within the cavity 178, 180, through apertures 183; and are connected tothe receptacle assemblies 142.

With reference now to FIG. 3, one of the receptacle assemblies 142 isillustrated according to at least one embodiment. The receptacleassembly 142 includes a longitudinal housing 184 with a receptacle 186formed therein. The receptacle 186 is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. Thereceptacle 186 includes an opening 190 at a distal end 188 of thehousing 184. An electrically conductive terminal (not shown) is receivedwithin the receptacle 186. A retainer 192 is illustrated in FIGS. 3-7,which acts a partial cap for retaining the terminal within thereceptacle 186. The retainer 192 includes a longitudinal body 194 withan array of extensions or bosses 196 received within the receptacle forengagement with, and retention of, the terminal.

The guide body 194 has an aperture 198 formed through the body 194 andthrough the array of bosses 196. The aperture 198 is sized to receive apin through the aperture 198 for electrical contact with the terminal.The body 194 and the bosses 196 collectively provide a guide for guidingthe pin into alignment and contact with the terminal. An array offasteners 200 extends from the guide body 194 into the receptacle 186.The fasteners 200 are also bosses that have an overall outer diameterthat is greater than an inner diameter of the receptacle 186 to providean interference fit or press fit within the receptacle 186 therebyretaining the retainer 192 to the receptacle housing 184, andconsequently retaining the terminal in the receptacle 186.

The fasteners 200 are spaced apart from the aperture 198 so thatdeformation of the fasteners 200 after installation does not affect theguide provided by the guide bosses 196 and the aperture 198. Further,the guide bosses 196 are not in direct contact with the fasteners 200,and are not in direct contact with the receptacle housing 184 forproviding a guide for the male pin without being affected by theinstallation of the retainer 192 to the receptacle 186.

The retainer 192 includes a shoulder 202 that extends transversely andengages the distal end 188 of the receptacle housing 184 to position theguide body 194 relative to the receptacle 186. The aperture 198 isformed through the shoulder 202 whereby the shoulder 202 contributes tothe guide body 194. The arrays of the bosses 196 and fasteners 200extend form the shoulder 202.

The terminal provides contact with the male pin that is sufficient tomaintain electrical contact, without causing undue wear to the terminalor pin. Isolating the fastening feature from the guiding feature ensuresadequate retention without disrupting the guidance and alignment of thepin. The retainer may be formed from any suitable material, conductiveor insulated depending on the application requirements. The terminalprovides electrical contact between the pin and the housing 184.

FIG. 8 illustrates a receptacle assembly 204 according to anotherembodiment. The receptacle assembly 204 includes a housing 206 with areceptacle 208 formed therein. A groove 210 is formed within thereceptacle 208. A terminal 212 is received within the receptacle 208. Aretainer 214 is provided with a guide body 216 received within thereceptacle 208. The retainer 214 is also illustrated in FIG. 9. Ashoulder 218 extends from the retainer 214. An array of lugs 220 extendfrom the guide body 216 and are received within the groove 210 forlocking and retaining the retainer 214 to the receptacle 208. The lugs220 may be oversized within the groove 210 to provide an additionalinterference fit. Additionally, the guide body 216 may be oversizedrelative to the receptacle 208 to provide an additional interferencefit. The lugs 220 are spaced about the periphery to distribute any loadcaused in installation to minimize deflection to an aperture 222 withinthe guide body 216.

FIG. 10 illustrates a receptacle assembly 224 according to at least oneembodiment. The receptacle assembly 224 includes a housing 226 with areceptacle 228 formed therein. A plurality of grooves 230 are formedwithin the receptacle 228 as also illustrated in FIG. 11. The grooves230 are angled to provide barbed edges 232 facing away from an opening234 of the receptacle 228.

FIGS. 10, 12 and 13 illustrate a retainer 236 with a body 238 and ashoulder 240. An aperture 242 is formed through the body 238 and theshoulder 240. An array of ribs 244 are provided on the body 238, whichare oversized relative to the receptacle 228. The ribs 244 engage thegrooves 230 during insertion and are retained by the barbed edges 232.The barbed edges 232 inhibit disassembly of the retainer 236 form thereceptacle 228 and control a force required to install the retainer 236.

FIGS. 14-16 illustrate a receptacle assembly 246 according to at leastanother embodiment. The receptacle assembly includes a housing 248 witha receptacle 250. A retainer 252 is illustrated in FIGS. 14-17 with abody 254 received within the receptacle 250. The body 254 is undersizedrelative to the receptacle 250 to provide a clearance or slip fit. Ashoulder 256 extends across an opening 258 of the receptacle 250 in thehousing 248. A sleeve 260 extends partially over the housing 248 formthe shoulder 256. An inner diameter of the sleeve 260 is undersizedrelative to an outer diameter of the housing 248 to provide aninterference fit of the retainer 252 upon the housing 248. The sleeve260 avoids deformation to the guide body 254 and an aperture 262 withinthe guide body 254.

FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrate a receptacle assembly 264 according toanother embodiment. A receptacle housing 266 is provided with areceptacle 268 formed within the housing 266. A retainer 270 is providedwith a guide body 272 extending into the receptacle 268 with clearancetherebetween. The retainer 270 is illustrated in FIGS. 18-21. A shoulder274 extends across an opening 276 of the receptacle 268. A sleeve 278extends over the receptacle housing 266. The sleeve 278 includes aninner diameter that is undersized relative to the receptacle 268 toprovide an interference fit with the receptacle 268 for retention of thereceptacle 268 therein. The sleeve 278 includes an array of notches 280formed therein external of a distal end 282 of the receptacle housing266 to permit deformation during installation without disrupting anaperture 284 within the guide body 272. The sleeve 278 may be a socket140 in the first housing portion 136 thereby eliminating a separateretainer and minimizing parts.

FIGS. 22-25 illustrate an exterior connecting snap-fit end cap 286 inaccordance with one non-limiting aspect of the present invention. Theend cap 286 may be similarly configured to the retainers shown abovewith respect to having an end stop portion 288 and an inserted portion290. An opening 292 extends through the end stop portion 288, and theinserted portion 290 to facilitate guiding the connector into theresilient element (not shown). The opening 292 may be sized to provide atapered opening that narrows to more closely align with the connector.The end cap 286, unlike the retainers described above, may include aplurality of snap fingers 294, 296, 298, 300 defined by correspondingchannels 302, 304 (only one channel set is labeled) within anoverlapping portion 306 extending beyond the end stop portion 288. Thesnap fingers 294, 296, 298, 300 are shown to include fingers 308, 310that have a tip 312 with a leading edge 314 for extension of the snapfingers 294, 296, 298, 300 during installation. Each tip 312 is retainedwithin a channel 316 included on an exterior portion of a housing 318.Each tip 312 may include an abutment edge 320 for engaging the channel316. The configuring of the snap fingers 294, 296, 298, 300 to engage anexterior portion of the connector 318 may be beneficial in facilitatingremoval of the end cap 286 without having to use a tool, i.e., the toolmay be required to remove the interior connecting end caps.

Reliefs 322, 324, 326, 328 may be included in the overlapping portion306 rearwardly of the tips 312 of the fingers 294, 296, 298, 300. Thereliefs 322, 324, 326, 328 may be provided to facilitate removal of theend cap 286 from a molding tool without having to open the molding tool.The housing 318 shown in FIG. 25 includes a chamfered leading edge 330that cooperates with a correspondingly chamfered leading edge 332 of theinserted portion 290 of the end cap 286. These chamfered edges 330, 332may be helpful facilitating insertion of the end cap 286 within therecessed end of the housing 318. The end cap 286 is shown to includefour equally spaced snap fingers 294, 296, 298, 300, however, the endcap 286 may include any number of snap fingers 294, 296, 298, 300without deviating from the scope contemplated by the present invention.The end cap 286 may be comprised of a suitable conducting ornon-conducting material.

The end cap 286 shown in FIGS. 22-25 includes the overlapping portion306 extending a slight distance over the housing 318. FIGS. 26-28illustrate an end cap 334 where an overlapping portion 336, similar tothe overlapping portion 306 shown in FIGS. 22-25, extends approximatelythe entire length of a first recess 338 and to an area proximate asecond recessed 340 end to form a sleeve/housing. This sleeve-type ofend cap 334 may be integrated within a socket 140 of the connectorassembly 120.

FIGS. 29-32 illustrate an interior connecting snap-fit end cap 342operable to be added to one of the receptacle housings noted above orother similarly recessed terminals in accordance with one non-limitingaspect of the present invention. The end cap 342 may be configured to bepositioned outboard of a resilient element 344. Optionally, the end cap342 may be configured to have a length sufficient to pre-load theresilient element 344 such that it at least partially compresses theresilient element 344 toward a rearward wall of a recessed end 346,which may be beneficial protecting the contact beams and compensatingfor manufacturing tolerances. The end cap 342 may be configured toprevent removal of the resilient element 344 from a recessed end. Theend cap 342 may include an end stop 348 having a width ESW slightlylarger than an outer width of the recessed end 346 in order to controlhow far the end cap 342 is able to insert. The end cap 342 includes anopening 350 to permit passage of a connector (not shown). The opening350 may include a slightly larger width OW at a beginning portion andthen taper down thereafter to a width EW approximately equal to thewidth of the connector. The width EW may be selected to provide aninterference fit with the connector, although it is not necessary thatan interference fit be provided as the end cap 342 may be used simply toguide the connector into the resilient element/recessed end 344, 346.Optionally, a narrowest width NW of the resilient element 344 at a tipportion may be selected to be slightly smaller than the width EW of theopening 350 and/or the connector in order to ensure a sufficientelectrical connection between the resilient element 344 and theconnector. The exterior width ESW of the end stop 348 may be sized tocorrespond with an exterior width of a housing 352 in order to provide aflush exterior surface.

The snap-fit end cap 342 may be comprised of a conducting ornon-conducting material, such as but not limited to plastic or rubber.The material may be selected to be of a type sufficient to facilitateuse of a plurality of snap fingers 354. The snap fingers 354 may bedefined by channels 356 included within an inserted portion 358 of theend cap 342. The end of the snap fingers 354 may be shaped into a finger360. The finger 360 may snap into a corresponding recessed channel 362of the recessed end 346. The recessed channel 362 may include a width RWslightly larger than a width of the recessed end 346 at an outer portion364 and a width of the recessed end at an inner portion 366. While thewidth of the recessed end 346 at the outer portion 364 is shown to beequal to the width of the inner portion 366, it may be larger or smallerdepending on design consideration of the end cap 342, e.g., the width ofthe outer portion 364 may be larger than the inner portion 366 in theevent the material characteristics of the end cap 342 require morematerial to facilitate the contemplated flexing of the snap finger 354,which may be required in the event the recessed end is relativelynarrow.

A recess 368 may be included rearward of a tip of each finger 360 tofacilitate molding of the end cap 342. The recesses 368 may be sized toapproximate the height of the tip so that the end cap 342 can belaterally removed from a molding tool without having to open the tool.This may be beneficial in limiting tooling cost and associatedmanufacturing cost. Of course, embodiments of the present invention arenot necessarily limited to this configuration and fully contemplatemolding at least the end stop portion 348 without the recesses 368 sothat a continuous ring of material can be provided. The snap-fit end cap342 is shown to include three snap fingers 354 equidistantly spacedabout the inserted portion 358.

FIGS. 33-35 illustrate an alternative embodiment of a snap-fit end cap370 where a single snap finger 372 is included. The use of the singlesnap finger 372 configuration may be beneficial with narrower connectorsand/or terminals where it may not be feasible to maintain the structuralintegrity of the end cap 370 while permitting the use of multiple snapfingers 372.

Optionally, instead of defining the snap fingers 354 with channels 356through the inserted portion 358 of the end cap 342, the channels 356may be removed. FIGS. 36-38 illustrate an alternative embodiment of asnap-fit end cap 374 similarly configured to the end cap 342 except forhaving channels 356 removed. In this configuration, a finger tip 376instead extends outwardly from an inserted portion 378 to facilitate thesnap fit. This configuration may require the size and shape of the endcap 374 and/or its material composition to allow some flexing or bendingduring insertion so that the finger tip 376 can compress within theouter portion 364 of the inner recess 368, and thereafter, decompress tobe retained within the channel 362. As with the configuration shown inFIGS. 29-32, an area 380 behind the finger tip 376 is shown to beremoved to form recesses 380 within an end stop portion 382 in order tofacilitate removal from a mold tool. Of course, like the otherembodiments, this material may not necessarily be removed. Theembodiment shown in FIGS. 36-38 includes two fingers 376 to demonstratethe present invention contemplating the end cap including one, two,three or some other number of snap fingers.

FIG. 39 illustrates a receptacle assembly 384 according to anotherembodiment. The receptacle assembly 384 includes a housing 386 with areceptacle 388 for retention of a terminal. A dual material (ortwo-shot) retainer 392 is provided, which is also illustrated in FIGS.39-42. A guide body 394 is formed from a first material, such as apolymeric material which is hard enough to guide the pin. The guide body394 includes a shoulder 396 with an aperture 398 formed therethrough. Aseries of projections 400 are provided on the shoulder 396. A softerfastener layer 402, such as an elastomer, is overmolded onto theprojections 400 to bond to the projections 400. The fastener layer 402includes a shell 404 with a leading edge 406 for clearing the housing386, and an abutment edge 408 for engaging the groove 390. Additionalchannels for designed flexibility are not required due to theflexibility of the fastener layer 402.

FIGS. 43-45 illustrate a receptacle assembly 410 according to anotherembodiment with a receptacle housing 412 with a receptacle 414. A guidebody 416 is received within the receptacle with a slip or clearance fit.A shoulder 418 extends from the guide body 416; and a sleeve 420 extendsover the housing 412, also with a clearance fit. The sleeve 420 isformed integral with the first housing portion 136 as a socket 140. Thebacking plate 144 is fastened to the first housing portion 136 therebyretaining the receptacle housing 412 within the socket 140.

The present invention contemplates using any one or more of theforegoing terminals within any type of electrical assembly or adding theend cap to other connectors/terminals, and particularly, using theterminals and/or the end caps within a vehicle charger connectorassembly. U.S. application Ser. Nos. 13/073,478; 13/080,982; 13/070,576;13/080,753; and 13/101,592, the disclosures of which are herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety, describe a vehicle chargerconnector assembly and various terminals to which the end caps shownabove may be added.

While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended thatthese embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather,the words used in the specification are words of description rather thanlimitation, and it is understood that various changes may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may becombined to form further embodiments of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A receptacle assembly comprising: a longitudinalhousing with at least one receptacle formed therein with an opening at adistal end of the housing; an electrically conductive terminal receivedwithin the receptacle; a longitudinal guide body received within thereceptacle in engagement with the terminal, the guide body having anaperture formed therethrough, sized to receive a pin through theaperture; and at least one fastener extending from the guide body toprovide an interference fit with the housing.
 2. The receptacle assemblyof claim 1 wherein the at least one fastener comprises at least twoextensions extending into the at least one receptacle that arecollectively oversized relative to the receptacle to provide theinterference fit with the housing and are spaced apart a distancegreater than the aperture.
 3. The receptacle assembly of claim 2 furthercomprising a shoulder extending transversely from the guide body toengage a distal end of the receptacle and to position the guide bodyrelative to the receptacle, wherein the at least two extensions extendfrom the shoulder.
 4. The receptacle assembly of claim 3 wherein theguide body further comprises at least two guide body extensionsextending from the shoulder into the at least one receptacle.
 5. Thereceptacle assembly of claim 1 wherein a groove is formed in the housingto cooperate with the fastener.
 6. The receptacle assembly of claim 5wherein the at least one fastener comprises at least one lug extendinginto the groove.
 7. The receptacle assembly of claim 5 wherein the atleast one fastener comprises at least one rib extending across thegroove.
 8. The receptacle assembly of claim 7 wherein the grooveprovides a barbed edge to engage the at least one rib.
 9. The receptacleassembly of claim 1 further comprising a shoulder extending transverselyfrom the guide body to engage a distal end of the receptacle and toposition the guide body relative to the receptacle, wherein the fastenerextends from the shoulder externally over the receptacle housing. 10.The receptacle assembly of claim 9 wherein the at least one fastenercomprises a sleeve extending at least partially over the receptaclehousing.
 11. The receptacle assembly of claim 1 wherein the at least onefastener comprises at least one snap finger.
 12. The receptacle assemblyof claim 1 wherein the at least one fastener comprises a plurality ofsnap fingers.
 13. The receptacle assembly of claim 1 wherein the atleast one fastener comprises at least one snap finger with a distal endshaped into a finger to be received in a groove.
 14. The receptacleassembly of claim 13 wherein a recess is provided rearward of a tip ofthe finger.
 15. The receptacle assembly of claim 14 wherein the recessis sized approximate to a height of the tip for lateral removal from amolding tool.
 16. A receptacle assembly comprising: a longitudinalhousing with at least one receptacle formed therein with an opening at adistal end of the housing and a groove formed in the housing; anelectrically conductive terminal received within the receptacle; and aretainer to retain the electrically conductive terminal within thereceptacle, the retainer comprising: a longitudinal guide body sized tobe received within the receptacle and engage the terminal to retain theterminal within the receptacle, the guide body having an aperture formedtherethrough sized to receive a pin through the aperture to contact theterminal, and at least one fastener extending from the guide body tofasten the retainer to the receptacle, wherein the guide body isreceived within the receptacle, and the at least one fastener isreceived within the groove; wherein the groove is formed within thereceptacle; and wherein the at least one fastener is oriented externalof the guide body.
 17. The receptacle assembly of claim 16 wherein theat least one fastener comprises at least one lug.
 18. The receptacleassembly of claim 16 wherein the guide body is formed from a firstmaterial; and wherein the fastener is formed from a second material thatis more flexible than the first material.
 19. A charge assemblycomprising: a handle housing; and a plurality of receptacle assemblies,each receptacle assembly comprising: a longitudinal housing with atleast one receptacle formed therein with an opening at a distal end ofthe longitudinal housing, an electrically conductive terminal receivedwithin the receptacle, a longitudinal guide body received within thereceptacle in engagement with the terminal, the guide body having anaperture formed therethrough, sized to receive a pin through theaperture, a shoulder extending transversely from the guide body toengage a distal end of the receptacle and to position the guide bodyrelative to the receptacle, and a sleeve extending from the shoulder atleast partially over the receptacle housing, wherein each sleeve isformed integrally with a portion of the handle housing.
 20. The chargeassembly of claim 19 further comprising: a backing plate fastened to theportion of the handle housing in engagement with the receptacle housingsto retain the receptacle housings within the sleeves.